Mac County spoils home VB opener

McDonald County spoiled the home volleyball opener for Cassville on Monday night. Led by dominating senior Darien Stancell, the Lady Mustangs dropped the Lady Wildcats in straight sets, 25-14 and 25-23.

"We looked good at times," said Cassville's Jerry Schneider. "The girls played hard, and served pretty well. We competed with them, but we need a go-to hitter in clutch situations."

Cassville led 2-0 to start the first set behind Christina Willard's serve, but McDonald County forged in front, 5-2. The Lady Wildcats regained the lead at 6-5 on a drop shot by Sydney Curnes but then fell behind 6-8.

Four times, the Cassville girls pulled within a single point, but they would not tie or lead again in this set. With Stancell patrolling the net, the Lady Mustangs cruised to an 11-point win.

In the second set, Cassville looked more poised and focused. When Rhiannon Miller hit a screamer for a winner, the home team took a 4-2 early lead. McDonald County squeezed ahead 7-5, and then the game turned into a point-by-point battle.

The lead alternated between one and two points for a number of possessions, but the visitors pulled ahead 14-10. Cassville fought back to a 17-17 tie when a Stancell rocket went long over the baseline.

With Miller serving, the Ladycats took a 20-18 lead, but McDonald County stormed back to retake the advantage, 21-20. Keisha Corn scored with a drop shot, Rachel Sanders scored with a block, and the Lady Mustangs hit long, as Cassville regained the lead, 23-21.

But McDonald County scored the final four points of the match, with Kenzie Dill whipping an ace for the game winner, 25-23.

Cassville won the JV contest in straight sets, 2-0.